
Your doctor also may request that you have an MRI with contrast. You should mention this when you call to make the appointment. Your doctor may ask you not to eat or drink anything a few hours before the MRI, depending on what part of your body you are having scanned. You will go to a hospital or radiology center for the scan. Many insurance companies require office staff to call on your behalf to get the scan approved. If your primary care doctor thinks you should have an MRI, his or her office staff will call to schedule an appointment for you. Pelvic problems (in women) or prostate problems (in men).Brain abnormalities, such as tumors, and dementia.Problems with your spine, including disc (rubbery cushions between your backbones) problems or spinal tumors.Generally, an MRI can help your doctor identify what is causing your health issue so that he or she can diagnose you accurately and prescribe a treatment plan.ĭepending on your symptoms, an MRI will scan a specific portion of your body to diagnose: There are many reasons your doctor may order an MRI. The average cost for a CT scan is $1,200 to $3,200. A CT scan typically costs less than an MRI. On average, an MRI can cost from $1,200 to $4,000. An MRI is more expensive than a CT scan.A CT scan can give you a higher-quality picture of bones and is better for diagnosing chest and lung problems as well as detecting some cancers.

It is a better scan for looking at ligaments and tendons, your spinal cord and other soft tissues.

A CT scan uses radiation to create an image. No studies have linked MRIs to any harmful health effects. This means you aren’t exposed to radiation. An MRI uses a magnetic field to create an image.

Both an MRI and CT scan produce images of your bones, organs, and other internal tissues. Many people get the two scans confused because the equipment used for each is very similar. It is similar to a CT scan (also called a CAT scan or computed tomography scan), which is used to create pictures of bones, muscles and organs. It is used to help diagnose diseases and many other medical conditions.Īn MRI is similar to an X-ray (which is used for pictures of your bones). It is a safe and painless way for doctors to get a closer look inside your body. It can see your organs, bones and tissue. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a scan that uses strong magnet and radio waves to see inside your body.
